Content about food

NAPA, Calif. A maker of all-natural and organic foods has kicked off a new campaign designed to teach children about vegetables.

Annie's Root 4 Kids campaign seeks to get 1 million children to learn about and plant vegetables now through next year's harvest, the company said. Annie's has partnered with the National Farm to School Network, an organization that connects more than 10,000 schools across America with local farms to provide healthy food in cafeterias, nutrition education in classrooms and hands-on learning through school gardens.

SAN DIEGO Fresh & Easy is promoting its new line of products aimed at childhood nutrition.

The line, fresh&easy Goodness, is made using such wholesome, natural foods as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, as well as other foods that are good sources of vitamins and minerals. Fresh&easy Goodness products also contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, no added trans fats and no high-fructose corn syrup.

WASHINGTON A coalition of lobbying groups urged the Senate on Monday to review and pass pending food safety legislation before November elections.

The Food Marketing Institute, which backed the bipartisan bill, issued a statement Monday that the organization was "disappointed" that the Senate elected not to review the Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act before the midterm elections. The bill passed in the House of Representatives last year.

NEW YORK Drug Store News took a tour to get a first-hand glimpse. —Duane Reade recently took the wraps off its flagship store in Union Square, a large, sleek location that brings together under one roof the retailer’s newest innovations.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT There have been a spate of announcements in the past month around the growing prominence of fresh-food offerings in nontraditional retail settings (aka the corner drug store) that capitalize on the convenience opportunity a typical pharmacy footprint represents. Walgreens announced a move to bring healthier food choices to more inner-city residents, and CVS/pharmacy recently expanded its Urban Cluster store concept featuring a more prominent consumables department. But Rite Aid’s story is not a me-too story.

MADISON, Wis. Lunchables is getting more wholesome with new varieties that aim to keep kids healthy.

The line expansion includes the introduction of two new varieties: chicken strips made with 100% white meat chicken, and chicken and American sub sandwich, which features rotisserie seasoned chicken and bread made with 8 g of whole grain. Both products are good sources of protein and calcium and join the Lunchables-with-water roster introduced last year that offers quality meats, cheeses and spring water, the company said.